Labour history news

The revolution has been digitized: explore the oldest archive of radical posters

The Joseph A. Labadie collection, the oldest public collection of radical history has been used to create a digital archive of more than 2,000 posters. The University of Michigan Library announced this month that its posters on anarchism, civil liberties, feminism, labor, and other political movements are online for the first time. The collection’s strongest holdings are in anarchism, and go back to founder Joseph … Continue reading The revolution has been digitized: explore the oldest archive of radical posters

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Bursary reports, Research bursaries

Mike Mecham visits Belfast to research Irish labour leader and social activist William Walker

Belfast born William Walker (1870-1918) is considered the most significant labour leader in Ireland in the early 20th century. As a young trade union activist, he established the first union of women linen workers (1893) and helped organise workers in other sectors. A joiner in shipbuilder’s Harland and Wolf, he became a full-time organiser for the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners (1901), delegate to … Continue reading Mike Mecham visits Belfast to research Irish labour leader and social activist William Walker

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Books etc

Conversations with Radical Women

Northern ReSisters: Conversations with Radical Womenby Bernadette Hyland Publication date 1 May 2015Published by the Mary Quaile Club ISBN 987-0-9932247-0-6 £5.95 In the first part of this book Bernadette speaks to nine women from Greater Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds who have been active in radical movements over the past forty years, including trade unionism, Ireland Women’s Liberation, radical bookselling, anti-racism and the peace movement. Bernadette says: “In … Continue reading Conversations with Radical Women

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Bursary reports, Research bursaries

Joe Cozens (Essex) on civil-military relations and popular protest, 1790-1805

My doctoral thesis is entitled ‘Civil-Military Relations and Popular Protest in England, 1790- 1805’. It addresses issues such as the recruitment of the armed forces, the experiences of ordinary soldiers in the army and militia, and the use of the military by the state to suppress instances of popular protest during the Revolutionary French Wars. In particular, I am interested in the way in which … Continue reading Joe Cozens (Essex) on civil-military relations and popular protest, 1790-1805

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SSLH news

New SSLH Vice Presidents

At its recent AGM the Society for the Study of Labour History voted in favour of creating five new Vice Presidents to honour contributions made in the field of labour history. Professor Malcolm ChaseProfessor Hamish FraserProfessor Angela JohnProfessor Chris WrigleyProfessor Eileen Yeo These new appointments will join existing Vice Presidents: Baron Asa Briggs, John Halstead, Professor John F. C. Harrison Continue reading New SSLH Vice Presidents

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Advice & reference

Keeping your records safe

The Archives and Resources Committee of the Society for the Study of Labour History has produced a brief, practical guide for Labour Party branches, co-operative societies and trade unions on preserving their historical records. It advises organisations to keep minutes, reports and financial records, along with publications, photographs, and mementos such as banners and badges. Download the guide in PDF format. Continue reading Keeping your records safe

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Labour history news

Edward Carpenter

The Friends of Edward Carpenter are a small group of people who are dedicated to establishing a permanent memorial to Edward Carpenter in Sheffield City Centre, recognising his historical and social importance and unique association with the city. Edward Carpenter (1844 -1929) was a significant cultural and political activist, who advocated the ‘Simplification of Life’ and put his beliefs into practice. He campaigned throughout his life on … Continue reading Edward Carpenter

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Books etc

Racism, Class and the Racialized Outsider

The book offers an original perspective on the significance of both racism and anti-racism in the making of the English working class across two centuries. While racism became a powerful structuring force within this social class from as early as the mid-Victorian period, this book also traces the episodic emergence of currents of working class anti-racism. Through an insistence that race is central to the … Continue reading Racism, Class and the Racialized Outsider

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Labour history news, SSLH news

Maxine Peake and the SSLH support the WCML

The Society has issued a a letter in support of the Working Class Movement Library in Salford after recent accusations made in an election pamphlet by Robin Garrido. Garrido, a councillor and leader of Salford Conservative party, claims that the WCML “is not a proper accessible library, you need to make an appointment to visit. Also you can’t borrow books like you can at an ordinary library.” … Continue reading Maxine Peake and the SSLH support the WCML

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